Mechanism for feeding and severing sheets



Feb. 17, 1931. J. P. ALDRICH ET AL 1,792,474

MECHANISM FOR FEEDING AND SEVERING SHEETS Original Filed Sept. 28, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Zlwucmtou Feb. 17, 1931. J. P. ALDRICH ET AL 1,792,474

vIVIECI'IAIIISM FOR FEEDING AND SEVERING SHEETS Original Filed Sept. 28, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q Q El 5 I I H $2 2 g I l "a E 1 l E 2 Feb. 17, 1931. J. P. ALDRICH ET AL MECHANISM FOR FEEDING AND SEVERING SHEETS Original Filed Sept. 28, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 6, cles,

tration in the accompanying drawings, in

showing details of construction;

Patented Feb. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN ,P. ALDRICH AND HOWARD A. MORRIS, 0F TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO TEE AUTOMAT MOLDING & FOLDING COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, CORPORATION OF OHIO MECHANISM FOR FEEDING AND SEVERING 'SHEETS Original application filed September 28, 1928, Serial No. 308,940. Divided and this application filed July 1, 1929. Serial No. 375,207.

This invention relates to article wrapping machinery, but more particularly to mechanism for severing sheets of light flexible material to the" proper size for wrapping artisuch as bars of butter, oleomargarine, and similar substances.

An object of this invention is to produce a simple and efficient mechanism for feeding and serving sheets which is adjustable to feed different sized sections into the path of movement of the articles, according to the form and size of the articles to be wrapped. Further objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

The invention isshown by way of illuswhich: 4

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of the sheet feeding and severing mechanism;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a portion of the sheet feeding and severing mechanism Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the gear arrangement for driving the rolls of the sheet feeding and severing mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the arrangement of the gears for operating the sheet-feeding and severing mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing the segment feeding rolls adjusted for feeding sheet segments for one-quarter pound bars;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but showing the adjustment of the segment feeding rolls for one-half ound bars;

Fig. 7 is a sectio al elevation on the line 7-7 of Fig. 8 showing a portion of the means for adjustingthe position of one of the segment feeding rolls h I Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of one of the segment ,feeding rolls showing the means for connecting-it to t erespective drive shaft; and f I Fig. 9is an end elevation of the mechanism shownin Fig. 8. a v

This application constitutes a division of our coending application Serial No. 308,940, ---filed eptember 28th, 1928, entitled Dual j wrapping and packaging machine.

lFhe illustrated embodiment ofthe invention comprises a sheet feeding and severing mechanism which is operable to sever sheets of relatively light, flexible material to the vanced to mechanism which operates to complete the sheet-folding operation. This invention is concerned particularly with the feeding and severing mechanism for the sheets, and the construction and o eration thereof will .be readily understood rom the following description. It is particularly to be noted that this mechanism is especially adapted for severing sheets of'the proper size for wrapping one-half pound bars, or, after suitable adjustment is made, for severing sheets suitable for wrapping one-quarter pound bars.

The sheet feeding and severing device is adjustable to feed severed segments of different lengths into the path of movement of the butter bars, it being evident that a longer sheet isnecessary for wrapping the one-half pound bars than the sheet required for wrapping the one-quarter pound bars. This mechanism is conveniently adjustable forcontinuously feeding a sheet of either length.

As shown, upright side frames 47 are mounted on the machine frame 27, and extending transversely of the side frames are pairs of shafts 48, 49 and 50, on which pairs of rollers 51, .52 and 53 are respectively mounted. @ne of the shafts 4L9 is'provided with a sprocket 54 which forms the driving connection for the mechanism, a suitable clutch 55 having an operating rod 56 being adapted to, operatively connect the sprocket 54 with the shaft 49. A hand wheel 57 is fixed to one of the shafts 49 to efi'ect adjust movements thereon, and is capable of selective engagement with the gear 59 or smaller gear 62 also on the stub shaft 60. In order to shift the gear 61 from one position to the other, a yoke 64 engages a grooved wheel 65 fixed to the gear 61, and a rod having a knob 65 permits convenient adjustment. The stub shaft 60, which is fixed to the adjacent side frame 47', has an ofi'set axis for the gear 59, which is mounted eccentrically of the gear 62 to enable these gears to be engaged by the gear 61. The gear 62 meshes with a larger gear 63 on a shaft 49.

The shaft 49 is connected to drive one of the shafts 50 through a train of gears 63, 66 and 67, the gear ratio being such that the shaft 50 is. rotated at a speed twice as great as that of the shaft 49. The gearing, including the train of gears 58, 59 and 61, is such that the shaft 48 is rotated at a slower speed than the speed of the shaft 49, the ratio being approximately 1% to 1. When the gear 61 is in this position, the feed rolls 51 and severing rolls 52 are adjustedproperly for severing segments of a size sufficient to wrap one-quarter pound bars. When the gear 61 is shifted to mesh with the gear 62, the speed of the shaft 48 is the same as that of the shaft 49, and in this position, a segment is severed from the continuous sheet of a size to wrap one-half pound bars.

As shown, the rolls 51 and 53 are of the same size, while the severing rolls 52 are somewhat larger. One of the severing rolls 52 is provided with a knife blade 71, and the other roll is provided with a recess 72 to receive the blade 71 during the cutting period. It is apparent that the continuous sheet of material is out once during each revolution of the severing rolls 52.

Each of the segment feedin rolls 5 3 is formed with a relieved portion 3, the periphery of which is closer to the axis of the rolls than the periphery of the remainder of the roll. This is to release the sheets and permit them to pass freely between therolls when the portions 73 are in register or juxtaposed relation. The segment feeding rolls 53 are normally out of engagement with the sheet material and are moved into engagement with the material at the point at which the knife blade 71 is moved to cutting or severing position.

One of each set of rolls 51, 52 and 53 are mounted in horizontally slidable bearings 7 4 and spring means 75 yieldinglyurges the sliding bearings toward the axis of the opposed roll. This insures proper feeding of the sheet material and affords a yielding action. In order normally to hold the segment feeding rolls 53 out of engagement with the sheet material, an arm 76 is mounted adjacent each of theside frames 47. The arms 76 have central pivots on stub shafts 77 proj ecting from the, side frame 47, and the lower meaeva ends of these arms engage the slidably mounted shaft 50 and the opposite ends engage cams 7 8 rotatable with one of the shafts 49. The cams 7 8 are so constructed that the arms 76 are recurrently actuated to move-the transversely movable shaft 50 away from its opposed shaft, thereby to separate the segment feeding rolls 53 from each other. At the period when the knife blade 71 is operative to sever the sheet material the arms 76 are relieved, thereby to bring the unrelieved peripheral portions of the rolls 53 into engagement with the sheet and maintain the same taut for the severing operation.

The rolls 53 remain in feeding engagement with the severed segment for a predetermined period, and then are moved by the cams 78 and arms 76 out of engagement, releasing the severed segment. The angle of the cam 7 8 is approximately 180 so that the segment feeding rolls 53 are separated during one-half the revolution of the rolls 52, and are in engagement during, the other half of the revolution. Inasmuch as the segment rolls 53 rotate at a speed twice as great as that of the rolls 52, it is apparent that during one revolution of the rolls 53, they arein engagement, and for the next complete revolution are separated from each other.

As shown in Fig. 5, the segment feeding rolls'53 are adjusted for feeding segments of the sheet material of a size suitable to wrap the one-quarter pound bars. In the position shown, the knife blade has severed the segment, and the segment feeding rolls are in engagement with the end portion of the sheet material to maintain the same taut. Thereafter, the segment feeding rolls operate through a complete revolution to feed the severed segment into the path of movement of the advancing butter bars. Subsequently, these rolls are relieved to receive the next succeeding sheet portion. The severed segments for the one-quarter pound bars are guided by vertically disposed guides 79, and the lower edges are supported below the path of movement of the butter bars by a substantially U-shaped supportingmember 80.

The member 80 is pivoted at 81, and is provided with a handle 82. Carried by the handle is a spring pressed plunger 83 which is movable over a curved guide 84. The frictional engagement between the pin 83 and guide 84 retains the supporting member 80 in its adjusted position. By swinging the handle 82 in aclockwise direction (Fig. 1), it is properly positioned to receive and properly position the severed sheet segments for the one-half pound butter bars.

The severed sheets for the one-quarter pound bars and one-half pound bars are supported in such manner that one-half the sheet segment is disposed above the path of movement of the bars, and the other half below the path of movement, so that as the bars are advanced, the latter will engage the central portion of the sheet. Inasmuch as the sheet for the one-half pound bar is longer than for the one-quarter pound bar, the lower edge of this sheet must be positioned at a greater distance below the path of movement of the bars than for the one-quarter pound bar. For this purpose the supporting member 80 is moved to the lower position shown on the dotted lines on Fig. 1. With the lower edge portion of the sheet in engagement with the supporting member 80, the upper edge portionstill remains between the segment feeding rolls 53. Adjustment of these rolls is, therefore, necessary to insure release of the sheet segment to permit the latter to be moved away from the rolls when the sheet is engaged by the advancing butter bar. For this purpose one of the segment feeding rolls 53 is free to rotate on its respective shaft, and is adjustable so that its relieved peripheral portion registers with the severed sheet ,segment at the time at which release of the segment is necessary.

Adjustmentof one of the segment feeding rolls 53 is effected by rotating it relatively with the other to alter the relative positions of the relieved portions. As shown, a collar 84 is fixed to a shaft 50 for rotation therewith, and pivoted to the collar and disposed longitudinally of the shaft 50 is a spring pressed dog 85, which is engageable in notches 86 and 87 in a ring 88 secured to the roller 53. By releasing the dog 85 the roller 53 may be turned to engage the dog 85 in either the v notch 86 or 87. When the dog engages the notch 86 the rolls will be positioned as shown in Fig. 5, and if the dog is engaged in the notch 87. the rolls will be positioned as shown in Fig. 6.

Mounted on the side frames 47 is a standard 89 having arms 90' and 91, the arm 90 supporting roll 92 of sheet wrapping material and the arm 91 supporting a similar roll 93 of sheet wrapping material. From the roll 92 the sheet material is conducted downwardly over a guide roll 94 to the feed ing roll 51; From the roll 93 the sheet is conducted over a guide roll 95 into a container 96, in which the sheet is suitably coated with paraffin or other similar substances. The sheet passes around a roller 97 disposed within the container or bath 96 and then extends upwardly around a guide roll 98, from which it leads to the respective feeding roll 51, where it meets the sheet from the roll 92. It is to be understood that the above description is given by way of illustration and not of limitation, and numerous changes in details of construction, arrangement and operation may be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a sheet feeding and severing mechanism, continuous sheet feeding means, sheet severing means, opposed rolls for feeding severed sections from the severing means, there being a relieved peripheral portion on one of said rolls to release the sheet when in register with the other roll, and means for rotatably adjusting the roll having said relieved portion independently of the other of a plurality of positions, thereby to adjust the relative position of said relieved portion with respect to the other roll.

3. In a sheet feeding and severing mechanism, a pair of sheet feeding-rolls, sheet severing means in advance of said feeding rolls, apair of segment feeding rolls in advance of sald severing means for feeding severed sheets therefrom, there being a relieved peripheral portion on one of said rolls to release the sheet when in register with the other roll, means to regulate the peripheral speed of said feeding rolls relative to said severing means to vary the size of the severed sheet, and means to adjust the angular position of said roll having the relieved portion to compensate for the'adjustment of said feeding rolls.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto signed our names to this specification.

J. P. ALDRICH. HOWARD A. MORRIS. 

